Pātaka Art + Museum is proud to have Whiti Te Rā! – the Story of Ngāti Toa Rangatira in Porirua after its showing at Te Papa.

Featuring unique taonga, the exhibition explores the successes, dramatic setbacks, and extraordinary resurgence of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, starting from Te Heke Mai Raro (the Southern Migration) 200 years ago when Te Rauparaha lead the iwi to the Wellington region.

The exhibition follows the progress of the iwi through their economic rise of the 1820s and 30s, and the bitter conflicts with the colonial government of the 1840s and 50s.

The story is brought into the 20th century, following the iwi through two world wars and then onto recent times with their next fight for redress over previous injustices, and their Treaty settlement. Also included is a film on the story behind Te Rauparaha’s famous haka Ka Mate, the last line of which lends itself to the exhibition’s title, Whiti Te Rā!